Clutch mechanism.



H. W. RICHARDS.

. CLUTCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION HLED MAR.22,1915.

1,184,130. Patented May 23,1916.

HERBERT 'W. RICHARDS, b]? OAK PARKfiLLINOIS.

r Specification of Letters l 'atent.

CLUTCH *MECHANISM.

Patented May 23,

To all whom it may 0011mm.-

Be it known that I, "HERBERT. W. RI IL' ARDS, a citizen of the United States,"residing in the village of Qak Park, countyoffCook,

an'dState of Illinois, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Clutch Mechanism, of which the following is a specification. 1

My invention relates to clu'tch mechanism,

and more particularly to such employfriction elements for "transmitting "motion from the driving to the driven m'ember thereof.- I

The principal objects of the invention are to improve the construction andefiiciency of"'c'lutches wherein a friction "element-is operatively clamped between wear elements for-communicating rotative motion, and to render' simple and easy the unifQr'madjustmentof a wear element thereof'whe'reby V time'and labor are saved and the clutch is" preserved from injuryjdue to unequaled-f justment; also to render the assemblingfrepairan'd substitution-of parts simple'and readily to be made; I

A specific and important object is to impro've the' construction, efficiency and adjustdescribe'dl Other objects and advantages'will appearhereinafter? p In the "accompanying drawlngs, 'which forni a part of this specification, I have illustrated the application theseimpro vv the'eommon axis of thefsha'fts, as-onj the line 11 ofFig. 2; and, Fig.2 is anelevati'on of the side thereof containing my improved" adjusting means.

In the specific device illustrated all of" the operativee'lements and combinations areoldflmen't jl2 for "locking engagement therewith.

andwellknown in the art 'with t-he excep' tion" *"of those providing the feature 'o'f' adjustment 'hereinabo've referred to"-an"dthe combinations thereof with 'clutch mecha nis'rfi elements i as more particularly pointed out'in the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the device shown'it *will only be necessary to mention thati the -shaft"10* carriespositively the flangedhubor collar- 11, as by the "feather" 10*;"to which hub is secured positively, as by WitlY-wlifat is We'llknown 'in the art. improved wear element 30,'however, is an *adj1'1stab1eone,and is adjustable simulta 'neously and 'equally" over its entire wearing screwsor bolts, the friction element 12 com;

prising 'the"-diskdike steel plate 13 having annular frictionsurfaces 1 1 and 14: suit ably built 'up'of wooden studs and com pressed fiber'. About the peripheral portionof the friction element 12 is the carrying element 15, preferably annular and norannular wear element 18, as at the extremi- -ties-of'th'eradial arms "19 rigid with the col- 1arl75 4 The carrying element 15, ordinarily called the hood,is provided with a plurality of upstanding lugs 20 equally spaced apart in pairs for 'pivotally mounting the levers 22,-whi'ch levers 22'arealso pivoted, as at 22*,tothe unitary part comprising the wear element'18;the*arms 19 and the hub 17, the

levers 28' being-fpivotally mounted on the arms"'- "19 and connected by the pivotally mounted 'links 24 respectively to the shifting sleeve 25 slidableon the-shaft 16. Heretoforefi'so far' as I am aware, in the specific coas erating and 'coacti'ng with the weareleability of clutching parts. in clutches of thement-'18 to bind the friction element 12 becharacter herein specifically ill'ustratedand tween theni"has"been in constantly fixed relation'f't'o the carrying' 'element or hood 1 5 or itsequiva'le'nt, and'the relative position of such' relatively fixed wear element has been'substantially the same as that of the wear elementT 30? That is to say, if I were to show my improved wear element 30 as integral-with the element 15 and omit the wear element locking means the construction'* woulfd be substantially in accordance My or clan- 'pingsurface, by which I mean the surface" adapted to contact the'friction ele- It 'is therforeadapted to preserve a true plane of rotation, in the specific construction show'n,"-"at"'right angles to the axis of the tionsfi and means are alsdprovided for lockv ing it "infldesired relative position. I

embody 'the 'i nvention inthese important respectspreferablyin awearelement annu- Y lar inshape, and preferably having a re] a ment 3O always moves with. its wearingsur face true to, the plane of its rotation whenv adjustments are made no injury can result to the clutch from trials and experiments; during the adjustingroperationyand as-all parts of the wear .surface of theelem'entBO are adjusted simultaneously, the workman-is concerned only with the degree of adjust tive large opening, as diametrically between the inner edges 31' thereof to permit its .ready application over the hub 11,1as well' as to save weight, in the specific form of clutch shown, this ring preferably being onlydeep enough radially to provide the] desired friction or clutching surface there- In ordinary practice it. has substan on. tially the same radial dimensions as has the tween the two wear elementsjas tightly, or

as loosely as may-bedesired. Iftheelement; 30 is too far retracted by turning. it relative to the element15 in an unscrewing direction clutching levers into theirlocked position is inserted.

element 30 is advanced too far it will be possible for the iworkman to throw the whereby the driving and driven members .of the clutch are locked together; As the element required. :By experience, or froma trial or two he can readily make the desired are required from time to time to take up a new friction element, as 12,3

wear or when My preferred means for holding'the ele--;

ment 30 in. relatively fixed relation tothe hood or carrying element, as15, after anad' justm'ent has been made, comprise the" prof vision of a cut or opening in the carrying or, hood element 15, and means for binding this" element 15 tightly upon the element30. Inpractice the element 15 is a split ring, the

split or opening being shown, at;33, liig;2,

or bolt 34 being adapted to drawtogether the end walls of the element 1 5; at the slot- 33, thus holding the element 30 againstturne- V ing. When the'bolt 34. is loosened slightlythe element 30 is free to be moved adjustably. or to be entirely removed, and itfis only necessary for.theworkmen toinserta tool; as. a; chisel, wedginglyin the slot 33 and pry the end walls of the element 15 apart by an easy; movement of-the hand to, free thering 30 to, such an extent that it may then easily be ad--;;

".Iclaim: I up .1 a clutch, the combination of. a I drivjusted by hand. The lugs 35'integral with the element 30 not only strengthenthe ring 30 but .iprovide rests or finger Ipi'eces" for exerting rotative pressure-thereupon.) V V When the shifting sleeve 25 is moved towardthe collar '17, as shownin "Figrl; the V V wear element 3 0'is moved toward .thei frictionelement-12," slightly bending' dish shaped the steel plate 13 and forcing the-friction surface 14 against the wear surface' of the v .7 element 18',- the-pfri'ction element 12 being tightly clamped between the Wearelements 7 v V is also adjustable. the clutch naturallywill'not'operate when the shifting sleeve '25 .is -mov ed, and]if the 1 While I haveyillustratedand described 1 o mentsasapplied to a certain type of clutch it will be apparent Itopersonsiskilled'in the fart that various changes and 'modific'ations -may be made in the embodiment of the in-};; vention-and in its application to other types 5 of clutches, all within, the spirit-of this dis preferred embodiment of f these improveclosure, andall such changes and modifications are contemplated'by me as fall withinthe scope of the appended claims;

ing member and a driven membercoaxiallymounted for=rotation',' a pair of wearele- V -ments carried by one of said membersyand a friction element carried bythe other thereof, adjustment to a nicety. Such adjustments;

'30 and 18 When thesleevefloismoved in V thedirection away fromfihe hub 17 thewear :v

{or pressure binding'elemIm 3Diis moved .away from theifri'ction element or; asl-they 7 may be termed, the 'binding elements? 12 which-is then automaticallyireed:from the v resistance binding eIementsB O-and 185111.

the device shown the wear element 18 is nor-f: mally relatively fixed iwhile thebindingele, ment is movable for clutchingoperationsand said wear elements being in o-peratively' opposed relation to each other. with said 'frice -tion-- element} operatively gbetween them; means operatively associatedwith one of 'Sal (l-We3.- 161Qm6ntS for moving the other thereofrtowardv andfrom said friction ele- I (-ment in. clutching and unclutching opera-; -tionsf, said other Wearielement being mounted -1 to move also adjustably toward and from said f v friction. element,;saidadjustable mounting be-.;; ing-such that said adjustable wearfelement i f; simultaneously and uniformly;

:throughout its entire Wearsurfacewhen-adf between two of the lugs20, the binding screw ,1

moves justments thereof are'made, and means for holding saidgadjustably mounted wear jelementinvarious relative adjustments thereof. -i

2.. Ina-clutch, the combination of'a driving clutch member anda driven clutch mem-' elements 1 for moving the other thereof toward and "fromvsaid friction element in clutching and unclutchingoperations, said tion-element, and means for holdingsaid threaded wear element in adj usted' position, the arrangement being such that the clutching movement of said adjustable wear element is adapted to bindsaid: friction element I other clutch member having a friction elein driving relation to said wear elements.

3. Ina clutch, the combination of a driving clutch member and a drivenclutch member coaXially mountedfor rotation, a pair of wear elements having annular wear surfaces substantially opposed to' each other carried by one of said members and a friction element carried by the other of said members and having friction surfaces adapted to be engaged by said wear surfaces respectively, means operatively associated with one of said wear elements for moving the other thereof into and out of binding engagement with said friction element against the resistance of said first mentioned wear element, said other wear element being threaded in the clutch member carrying the same whereby said adjustably threaded wear element may be moved adjustably toward and from said friction element, and means for releasably holding said adjustably threaded wear element in fixed relation to the clutch member carrying the same.

4. In a clutch, the combination of a driving member and a driven member coaxially mounted for rotation, a pair of clutching elements carried by one of said members, and a friction element carried by the other thereof and operatively between said clutching elements, said friction element having an annular friction surface on one side thereof, one of said clutching elements having an annular friction surface adapted to contact the friction surface on said friction element, one of said clutching elementsbeing adapted to take the pressure of the other thereof through said friction element when one clutching element is clamped upon said friction element, and means for clamping one of said clutching elements upon said friction element, one of said clutching elements being threaded into the member carrying the same whereby it may move adjustably toward and from said friction element, and means for holding said adjustably mounted clutching element in various relative positions of adjustment.

5. In a clutch, the combination of a driving clutch member and a driven clutch member coaxially mounted for rotation, a pair of wear elements and a split ring element carried by one of said members, said wear elements having annular Wear surfaces substantially opposed to each other, one of said wear elements being adjustably threaded intosaid split ring whereby it may be moved adjustably toward and from said other wear element, means for binding said split ring element upon said adjustable wear element, one of said wear elements being movable toward and from the other thereof in clutching operations, means for movingsaid wear element toward and from the other thereof in clutching operations, the

ment having annular friction surfaces adapted to' rotate-between the annular wear surfaces'of said wear elements respectively, the arrangement being such that by moving said clutching wear element toward the other wearelement in a clutching operation said friction element is clamped between them.

6. In a clutch, the combination of a driving member and a driven member coaXially mounted for rotation, an operative wear element and a normally relatively fixed wear element carried by one of said members, said wear elements having annular wear surfaces substantially opposed to each other, means for moving said operative wear element toward and from said normally fixed wear element, said operative element being adjustably mounted upon the member carrying the same whereby it moves simultaneously and uniformly throughout its entire wear surface toward or from said normally fixed wear element when a single adjustment thereof is made, means for holding said adjustably mounted wear element in various relative adjustments, the other member of said clutch having a friction element having annular friction surfaces adapted to rotate between said wear surfaces respectively, the arrangement being such that by moving said operative wear element toward said normally fixed wear element said friction element is clamped between them.

7. A clutch comprising in combination clutching members coaxially arranged for rotation, a friction element on one and clutching elements on the other of said members, said friction elementbeing adapted to be clamped between said clutching elements in clutching operations, the member carrying said clutching elements including a split ring, one of said clutching elements being threaded into said split ring whereby it I coaxially arranged for rotation, the combination therewith of a pressure clutch element and a resistance clutch element, a friction element intermediate said pressure element and said resistance element, said pressure element being adapted to bind said friction e1ement between said pressure elementand said resistance element meansfor moving said 7 pressure element toward and from'said'resistance element in clutching operations, the

member carrying one of said clutch elements including a split ring, said last mentioned clutch element being adjustably threaded in said split ring, and means for holding said adjustable velement in various relative po-si- 5 tions of adjustment. t s

9. In a clutch, the combinationof driving and driven members coaxially arranged forrotation, oneof said members carrying a pressure binding element and a resistance binding element, the other of said members carrying a friction element intermediate said 7' pressure binding element and said resistance binding element, each of said binding ele-' Copieso! this patent may be obtained for an c entseach, by 'Wash1ngton, I). 0.

ments having an annular Wear surfaceto- Ward said friction element and being adapted I to bind said friction,- element between them whereby said driving and driven; members i 5 are substantiallyiloeked together} for simul taneous rotation, means "for moving said pressure bindingv element toward and from said resistance binding elementiitrclutching'- move simultaneously and uniformlythrough'g 7 Witnesses: or V v -MILT0N MILLER, M. KRr sAUnn "nnnnnnriw; Brennan's f addressing the "{qomm issioner of Patents. v i

Correction in Letters Patent No.1,184,130.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,184,130, granted May 23, 1916, upon the application of Herbert W. Richards, of Oak Park, Illinois, for an improvement in "Clutch Mechanism, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, strike out lines 70 to 88, inclusive, and

insert the following paragraph:

When the shifting sleeve 25 is moved toward the collar 17, as shown in Fig. 1, the wear element 80 is moved toward the friction element 12, slightly bending dish-shaped the steel plate 18 and forcing the friction sur ace 14 against the wear surface of the element 18, the friction element 12 being tightly clamped between the wear elements or, as they may be termed, the binding elements 80 and 18. When the sleeve 25 is moved in the direction away from the hub 17 the wear or pressure binding element 80 is moved away from the friction element 12 which is then automatically freed from the resistance binding element 18. In the device shown the wear element 18 is normally relatively fired while the binding element 80 is movable for clutching operations and is also adjustable;

and that the-said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of June, A. D., 1916.

[SEAL] R. F. WHITEHEAD,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

